US 4,378,078 AGranted

Granulated material dispenser

OwnerPaul J. Danielsinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A device for dispensing a measured quantity of granulated food or concentrate material to a container. A hopper-like container which functions as both a shipping and storage container and an operational storage container for the granulated material to be dispensed is positioned in the interior of a housing having a recessed container filling station. A granulated material transfer tube interconnects the hopper-like container and the container filling station. A valve seat is provided on the lower end of the transfer tube. An electro-responsive, pivoted dispensing valve, having a valve head which engages the valve seat, is provided to interrupt the flow of granulated material through the transfer tube into a cup or other similar container positioned in the container filling station. A timer is provided to control the period of time which the dispensing valve remains open, and, thereby, the quantity of granulated material dispensed to the cup or other similar container. With this device, it is possible for granulated food or beverage concentrate material to be sealed in the hopper-like container by a manufacturer of such materials and remain in the hopper-like container until dispensed for reconstitution and consumption at a food and beverage service institution.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A device for dispensing granulated material to a container, comprising:

(a) a housing having a recessed container filling station;
(b) a hopper-like container which functions as both a shipping and storage container and an operational storage container for the granulated material to be dispensed, said hopper-like container having a generally rectangular configuration with a funnel-shaped lower portion having a cylindrical discharge spout;
(c) an inclined support plate for positioning said hopper-like container in the interior of said housing;
(d) a granulated material transfer tube which interconnects said cylindrical discharge spout on said funnel-shaped lower portion of said container filling station, said granulated material transfer tube having a valve seat on its lower end;
(e) a pivoted dispensing valve having a valve head which engages said valve seat on said lower end of said granulated material transfer tube to prevent flow of granulated material from said hopper-like container;
(f) electroresponsive means for pivoting said dispensing valve to disengage said valve head from said valve seat such that granulated material is permitted to flow from said hopper-like container, through said granulated material transfer tube, and into a container positioned under said lower end of said granulated material transfer tube in said container filling station and for pivoting said dispensing valve to cause said valve head to re-engage said valve seat;
and
(g) means for controlling the period of time which said valve head remains disengaged from said valve seat.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/278,215Filed 26 Jun 1981
Granted: 29 Mar 1983
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G07F 13/065
With selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof: for drink preparation
A47J 31/404
Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea: powder…
G01F 13/006
Apparatus for measuring by volume and delivering fluids or fluent solid materials, not provided for in the preceding groups: measuring volume in…
G07F
Coin-freed or like apparatus